Vehicle positioning guide

ABSTRACT

A vehicle positioning guide for mounting on the front of a vehicle comprises a mounting means for mounting the vehicle positioning guide onto the front area of a vehicle. A guide mast has at least an extended in-use reference configuration whereat the guide mast is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, such that the guide mast is longitudinally aligned with the front of the vehicle, and such that the guide mast is viewable from the driver&#39;s seat of the vehicle, thereby accurately indicating the front end of the vehicle to a driver.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle accessories, and more particularly to vehicle accessories for assisting a driver to maneuver a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When parking or otherwise maneuvering a vehicle into a confined parking spot, such as where the parking space is surrounded by obstructions, it is often necessary to know fairly precisely where the front end of the vehicle is. If the front end of the vehicle cannot be seen, it is necessary to estimate the position of the front end of the vehicle when parking or otherwise maneuvering a vehicle into a confined parking spot.

A fact that exacerbates the problem considerably is that present day automotive designers and manufacturers tend to produce aerodynamic automobiles with the intent of maximizing fuel efficiency. As a result, with many modern vehicles, the front hood is curved and sloped downwardly, in order for the vehicle to be aerodynamic. Accordingly, it is difficult for a driver who is sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle to properly judge exactly where the front end of a vehicle is. Thus, it is common for drivers to feel insecure and vulnerable when driving & parking. This situation even is worse for persons who are short.

Often, it is necessary to park a vehicle as close to a parking barrier, wall, or the like, for reasons of lack of space, safety, and so on. In this case, it is common to actually contact the barrier, wall, or the like, with the vehicle, thus potentially damaging the vehicle. The potential damage to the vehicle even with an impact of a few kilometers per hour with a barrier, wall, or the like, is quite considerable, and may be many thousands of dollars. This amount of damage is of course highly undesirable, especially considering that it can easily be avoided. Further, the inconvenience of having the vehicle fixed is quite considerable.

The above discussed problems pertaining to parking and maneuvering a vehicle also pertain to driving in stop and go traffic, where it is common to closely approach the rear end of the vehicle immediately ahead, and to maneuver in and out of closely spaced vehicles. It is also common to closely approach the rear end of the vehicle immediately ahead in a drive through line-up, such as at a fast food establishment or a bank, and so on.

In addition to above problems, it is common for older drivers to have problems with depth of field perception. This makes judging the distance to the front end of the vehicle more difficult.

In spite if the great need for an apparatus, system, or the like, to assist a driver with the parking of a vehicle into a confined parking spot or close to a parking barrier, wall, or the like, nothing exists in the prior art.

The closest prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,886 issued May 7, 2002 to Chou, which discloses a License Plate Mounted Display. The display comprises a first mounting bracket with holes spaced for attaching to a license plate on a vehicle. An arm is attached to the first mounting bracket and a first snap buckle is attached to an outer end of the arm. A display panel has a lower edge attached to a second mounting bracket and a second snap buckle is attached to the second mounting bracket. The display panel is attached to the vehicle by connecting the first and second snap buckles together. The display panel is easily detached or replaced by disconnecting the snap buckles. In a second embodiment, a flag is attached to a third snap buckle for being detachably connected to the first snap buckle. The display disclosed in the Chou patent does not present a guide that indicates the position of the front of a vehicle.

A similar flag display is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,927 issued Mar. 31, 1998 to Purpura, which discloses a Vehicle Flag Mounting Assembly. The assembly has a license plate assembly including a mast, and a plurality of mast support members having a gripping collar and an arm integral with the gripping collar. The gripping collar includes an opening with an inner diameter for receiving the mast and gripping the mast. The arm of the mast support member includes a flat surface for abutment of the arm upon a surface of the vehicle license plate assembly, and includes a hole for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt, for securing to the license plate assembly. The display assembly further includes at least one flag attachment assembly preferably including an attachment member which has a gripping ring and an attachment blade which is secured to the flag directly, or to a shoe attached to the flag. Again, the display disclosed in the Purpura patent does not present a guide that indicates the position of the front of a vehicle.

Another similar display mount is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,280 issued Feb. 20, 2007, to Passmore. This display mount provides a frame having legs meeting at an upper end at a span. The lower ends of the legs terminate at feet which form a base and toes. The base and toes define a slot therebetween which cooperates with a leading edge of an access of one of a trunk of a vehicle, a tailgate of a trunk and a hatchback of a vehicle. The leading edge is received in the slot. A sign is supported by the frame and first and second shaft connectors receive a shaft having an ornament connected thereto, such as a flag or shaker. Yet again, the display disclosed in the Passmore patent does not present a guide that indicates the position of the front of a vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide for assisting a driver to park or otherwise maneuver a vehicle into a confined parking spot.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide for assisting a driver to park a vehicle close to a parking barrier, wall, or the like, without actually contacting the barrier, wall, or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide that is useful for driving in stop and go traffic.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide that is useful in other situations where it is common to closely approach the rear end of the vehicle immediately ahead.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide that is useful for maneuvering in and out of closely spaced vehicles.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle positioning guide that is useful in making it easier to judge the distance to the front end of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel vehicle positioning guide for mounting on the front of a vehicle. The vehicle positioning guide comprises a mounting means for mounting the vehicle positioning guide onto the front area of a vehicle. A guide mast has at least an extended in-use reference configuration whereat the guide mast is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, such that the guide mast is longitudinally aligned with the front of the vehicle, and such that the guide mast is viewable from the driver's seat of the vehicle, thereby accurately indicating the front end of the vehicle to a driver.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel vehicle license plate frame comprises a main body member. A guide mast has at least an extended in-use reference configuration whereat the guide mast is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, such that the guide mast is longitudinally aligned with the front of the vehicle, and such that the guide mast is viewable from the driver's seat of the vehicle, thereby accurately indicating the front end of the vehicle to a driver.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, installed on a vehicle, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide and vehicle of FIG. 1, partly cut away for the sake of clarity, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 2, partly cut away for the sake of clarity, but with the guide mast in a retracted stored configuration;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 3, partly cut away for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide and vehicle of FIG. 8, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide and vehicle of FIG. 9, but with the guide mast in a retracted stored configuration;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the third preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, installed on a vehicle, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the third preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 15, but with the guide mast in a retracted stored configuration;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, installed on a vehicle, with the guide mast in an extended in-use reference configuration; and,

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the fourth preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide of FIG. 17, but with the guide mast in a retracted stored configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 18 of the drawings, it will be noted that FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, FIGS. 8 through 14 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, and FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 7, which show a first preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The vehicle positioning guide 20 is for mounting on the front 24 of a vehicle 22, with the vehicle 22 having a longitudinal axis “L”. The vehicle 22 may be any suitable type of vehicle operated by a human operator, including a car, a van, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, a recreational vehicle, or agricultural vehicles such as a tractor, or a marine based vehicle, such as a boat, and so on.

Briefly, the vehicle positioning guide 20 comprises a main body member 30, a mounting means 40, and a guide mast 50. The vehicle positioning guide 20 will now be described in greater detail.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the main body member 30 comprises a vehicle license plate frame having a front frame portion 32 a back plate portion 34. A forwardly protruding housing portion 36 is disposed on the left end of the main body member 30. Alternatively, the main body member 30 could be disposed on the right end of the main body member 30. The main body member 30 houses the guide mast 50 within a hollow cavity 38 in the forwardly protruding housing portion 36.

The vehicle positioning guide 20 further comprises a drainage aperture 39 in the main body member 30, which drainage aperture 39 is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity 38 in the forwardly protruding housing portion 36 of the main body member 30. The mounting means 40 is for mounting the vehicle positioning guide 20 onto the front area of a vehicle 22, to thereby permit accurate reference to the front end 24 of the vehicle 22. The vehicle positioning guide 20 can be mounted anywhere on front of vehicle 22, as long as it accurately indicates the front end 22 of the vehicle 22.

Preferably, the mounting means 40 comprises an adhesive for adhering the mounting means 40 to the vehicle, but may also comprise any other suitable mounting means 40. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the mounting means 40 comprises pieces of double sided tape that are adhered to the back surface 35 of the back plate portion 34 of the main body member 30 and that face rearwardly therefrom.

The guide mast 50 has at least an extended in-use reference configuration, as can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the guide mast 50 also has a retracted stored configuration, as can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. The guide mast 50 is movable between a retracted stored configuration and the extended in-use reference configuration.

In the extended in-use reference configuration, the guide mast 50 is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane “P” oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis “L” of the vehicle 22, such that the guide mast 50 is longitudinally aligned with the front end 22 of the vehicle 22, and such that the guide mast 50 is viewable by a driver 29 in the driver's seat 28 of the vehicle 22, as indicated by double ended arrow “A”, thereby accurately indicating the front end 24 of the vehicle 22 to the driver 29. In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, and in other preferred embodiments discussed below, when the guide mast 50 is in the extended in-use reference configuration, the guide mast 50 is oriented substantially vertically upwardly.

In order to facilitate the retracted stored configuration of the first preferred embodiment, whereat the guide mast 50 is stored within the hollow cavity 38 in the forwardly protruding housing portion 36, the guide mast 50 is segmented, having at least an outer section and an inner section slidable within the outer section along a longitudinal axis “M”. In the first preferred embodiment, the guide mast 50 has three sections, namely an outer section 52, a middle section 54 slidable within the outer section 52, and an inner section 56 slidable within the middle section 54. The outer section 56 is securely retained within the forwardly protruding housing portion 36 of the main body member 30. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the segmented guide mast 50 is substantially retained within the vehicle license plate frame 30 when in the retracted configuration.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 8 through 14, which show a second preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220. The vehicle positioning guide 220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 20, except that the main body member 230 is small, narrow and elongate. The mounting means 240 comprises a piece of double sided tape adhered to the back surface 235 of the back portion 234 of the main body member 230. The segmented guide mast 250 is substantially retained within the main body member 230. The drainage aperture 239 is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity 238 in the main body member 230. Accordingly, the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 220 is mountable to the front end 24 of the vehicle 22, including being mounted to a license plate frame.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 15 and 16, which show a third preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320. The third preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 320 is similar to the second preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 220 except that it further comprises a motor means 370, preferably an electric motor, for moving the guide mast 350 between its extended in-use reference configuration, as is best seen in FIG. 15, its retracted stored configuration, as is best seen in FIG. 16. The electric motor 370 is mounted on the main body member 330. It is also contemplated that the motor means could be a pneumatic or hydraulic motor, or any other suitable motor means.

Further, the guide mast 350 also acts as an antenna that is connectable in signal transmitting relation to a radio in a vehicle. It is also contemplated that the guide mast 350 could be a receiving or transmitting antenna, or both, as appropriate, for a radio, a satellite radio, a transponder, a computer network, an emergency locator transmitter, and so on.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 17 and 18, which show a fourth preferred embodiment of the vehicle positioning guide according to the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 420. The fourth preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 420 is similar to the first preferred embodiment vehicle positioning guide 20, except that the guide mast 450 is mounted at its bottom end 452 in pivotal relation to the main body member 430, which comprises a vehicle license plate frame. The guide mast 450 pivots between its extended in-use configuration, as is shown in FIG. 17, and its retracted stored configuration, as is shown in FIG. 18.

As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a vehicle positioning guide for assisting a driver to park or otherwise maneuver a vehicle into a confined parking spot, and for assisting a driver to park a vehicle close to a parking barrier, wall, or the like, without actually contacting the barrier, wall, or the like, that is useful for driving in stop and go traffic, and also in other situations where it is common to closely approach the rear end of the vehicle immediately ahead, that is useful for maneuvering in and out of closely spaced vehicles, and that is useful in making it easier to judge the distance to the front end of the vehicle, all of which features are unknown in the prior art. Also, it has been found that the vehicle positioning guide acts as a lane alignment tool when driving along a road.

Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the vehicle positioning guide of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A vehicle positioning guide for mounting on the front of a vehicle, said vehicle having a longitudinal axis, said vehicle positioning guide comprising: mounting means for mounting said vehicle positioning guide onto the front area of a vehicle; and, a guide mast having at least an extended in-use reference configuration whereat said guide mast is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, such that the guide mast is longitudinally aligned with the front of the vehicle, and such that said guide mast is viewable from the driver's seat of said vehicle, thereby accurately indicating the front end of the vehicle to a driver.
 2. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, wherein when said guide mast is in said extended in-use reference configuration, said guide mast is oriented substantially vertically upwardly.
 3. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, wherein said guide mast is movable between a retracted stored configuration and said extended in-use reference configuration.
 4. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, further comprising a main body member that houses said guide mast.
 5. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 4, wherein said main body member houses said guide mast within a hollow cavity in said main body member.
 6. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, wherein said main body member comprises a vehicle license plate frame.
 7. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 6, wherein said guide mast is segmented, having at least an outer section and an inner section slidable within said outer section along a longitudinal axis.
 8. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 7, wherein said segmented guide mast is substantially retained within said vehicle license plate frame when in said retracted configuration.
 9. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises an adhesive for adhering said mounting means to said vehicle.
 10. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, wherein said guide mast also comprises an antenna.
 11. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, further comprising a motor means for moving said guide mast between said retracted stored configuration and said extended in-use reference configuration.
 12. The vehicle positioning guide of claim 1, further comprising a drainage aperture in said main body member, which drainage aperture is in fluid communication with said hollow cavity in said main body.
 13. A vehicle license plate frame comprising: a main body member; a guide mast having at least an extended in-use reference configuration whereat said guide mast is positioned in a substantially vertical front plane oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, such that the guide mast is longitudinally aligned with the front of the vehicle, and such that said guide mast is viewable from the driver's seat of said vehicle, thereby accurately indicating the front end of the vehicle to a driver.
 14. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein when said guide mast is in said extended in-use reference configuration, said guide mast is oriented substantially vertically upwardly.
 15. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein said guide mast is movable between a retracted stored configuration and said extended in-use reference configuration.
 16. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein said main body member houses said guide mast within a hollow cavity in said main body member.
 17. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein said guide mast is segmented, having at least an outer section and an inner section slidable within said outer section along a longitudinal axis.
 18. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 17, wherein said segmented guide mast is substantially retained within said vehicle license plate frame when in said retracted configuration.
 19. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein said mounting means comprises an adhesive for adhering said mounting means to said vehicle.
 20. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein said guide mast also comprises an antenna.
 21. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, further comprising a motor means for moving said guide mast between said retracted stored configuration and said extended in-use reference configuration.
 22. The vehicle license plate frame of claim 13, further comprising a drainage aperture in said main body member, which drainage aperture is in fluid communication with said hollow cavity in said main body. 